2015 Corvette Z06 Photoshopped and LT4 Engine Photo Leaked

With the news that Chevrolet will be introducing the 2015 Corvette Z06 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit next month, speculation about the car’s details have ramped up from whispers to a dull roar. Leading the rumor mill over the last two days is this photoshop of a C7 Corvette Z06 which was reportedly done by a Corvette Forum member, as well as a leaked photo allegedly showing the performance car’s new supercharged engine dubbed the LT4.

Despite earlier stories suggesting the high performance variant of the C7 Corvette would be called the Z07 as homage to the 7th generation of the sports car, the press release by GM cleared that rumor immediately and we are happy that they are sticking with the Z06 nameplate which first appeared 50 years ago on the first Sting Rays in 1963.

Actual details of the new Corvette will be revealed at NAIAS, but its really no surprise on the progression the body of the Corvette Stingray will make as its recast as the Z06. The teaser pic released by GM on Wednesday shows an exaggerated front fender and rocker panels which we assume will be available in light weight carbon fiber like the car’s C6 predecessor.

From that teaser pic which also shows the Corvette wearing Michelin’s Pilot Sport SP2 Cup tires on unique black wheels, we can deduce that the C7 Corvette Z06 will have a wider stance, front spoiler and a larger rear spoiler for increased downforce at high speeds like the photoshopped Yellow Stingray shown above.

Let’s not also forget that recent spy photos published by Automobile Magazine show the Z06 will have massive carbon ceramic brake rotors which are most likely sourced from Brembo and the rear brake vents to keep those brakes cool which appear behind the doors are shown as well.

As for the leaked LT4 engine, its a much better photo than the one with the red supercharger cover that previous make headlines in October. The design of the supercharger cover shows the words “LT4″ and CORVETTE” and the while lines down the center of the cover are reminiscent of the design from the C4′s LT4 which appeared for one year only in 1996 Corvette models.

We previously estimated the power of the forthcoming Corvette Z06 to be 600+ hp and it will need that kind of power to live up to Chevrolet’s claim that the C7 Z06 “will be the most track-capable Corvette ever, designed to deliver supercar levels of performance through unique powertrain, chassis and aerodynamic features.”

So stay tuned as we’re sure there will be more to come before the Corvette Z06′s official launch at the Detroit Auto Show in January 2014.